Stylist Emmanuelle Alt, Carine Roitfeld's longtime right-hand-lady, is said to be leading the field of candidates to take over as editor-in-chief, while editor/novelist Virginie Mouzat may still be under consideration. (We previously looked at both candidates in more depth.) [WWD]

Nicholas Brooks pleaded not guilty to murdering his girlfriend, swimwear designer Sylvie Cachay. Cachay's body was found half-dressed and submerged in a bathtub at the private Soho House club; the medical examiner ruled that she had been strangled and drowned. One of Cachay's brothers, who plans to commute from Lima, Peru, for the trial, says of seeing Brooks in court: "This was the first time I had seen this individual. It was terrible to see such a disgusting person. To observe his demeanor and the charges in court show that he has no regard for human life, for women, for my sister or for my family." Brooks' lawyer suggests that Cachay may have taken drugs and drowned accidentally. [WWD]

We have decided we love jewelry designer Husam El Odeh, whose work often incorporates everyday objects, like keys and silverware, only melted down and altered. He recently won an emerging talent award at the British Fashion Awards last month, "I got a personal e-mail from Anna Wintour," says Odeh. "I was like, ‘Wow — that's not the usual spam e-mail in your in-box.'" [The Cut]

Queen Latifah is now shilling for CVS' beauty customer-loyalty program. We're supposed to believe she buys her makeup at the drugstore, with coupons? [WWD]

Here are some photographs of Rihanna listlessly sniffing a pink rose, which will soon be used to market Rihanna's forthcoming perfume. [Quem]

Um. Today in The Ongoing Slide Into Irrelevance Of Print Media, the Irish Independent sifts a three-month-old blog post for reporting, and lifts a quote editor Katie Grand gave Fashionista in October. Apparently, Grand finds Carine Roitfeld "an inspiration." Are you as shocked as we are by this startling! new! revelation!?!? [Irish Independent, Fashionista]

French regulators will evaluate Hermès' request to be exempted from certain provisions of securities laws in its bid to protect itself against a hostile takeover bid by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. LVMH used a legal loophole to quietly snap up over 20% of the company, and Hermès wants to enter into a kind of covenant arrangement that would prevent minority shareholders from selling their stakes to LVMH. [WWD]

Gisele Bündchen, styled with a side part and a barrette in her hair, wears a look from Prada's neon-tastic spring collection on the cover of Vogue China. [TFS]

Ana Beatriz Barros, on modeling: "You can't be a diva — they never last long. You have to be on time and take care of yourself. You sell your image. That's the job, not partying or travelling, but selling your image." [Vogue UK]

Givenchy and Vogue Paris model Lea T., who is a transwoman, gave an interview. Racked translates in part: "I've never had a girlfriend or a boyfriend...Even with surgery, I'll never be a woman. And I will not be man. I'll always be the middle...My father said I'll always be his little black boy. That he'll love me if I am man, woman or dog. My mother is very religious. She refuses, but says she will not leave me." [Quem via Racked]

Kellwood, the company that fired Kimora Lee Simmons from the Baby Phat brand she founded, has acquired Rebecca Taylor. Kellwood has been on something of an acquisition spree recently, inking deals with Adam Lippes and Isis. Gryphon is said to be next. Rebecca Taylor and her longtime business partner will remain with the company. [WWD]

Sad news: It seems that Jodi Arnold's business may not be long for this world. Arnold closed her Brooklyn store, and Women's Wear Daily reports that "the fate of her Manhattan store is uncertain." [WWD]